Defence News and Media

Royal Military College Queen’s Colours Parade for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

22 October 2011
| Media Release

As over five thousand spectators looked on, the cadets and staff of the Royal Military College of Australia today conducted a parade fit for a Queen to mark the presentation of new Queen’s and Regimental Colours to the College, in its centenary year.

Commandant of the Royal Military College of Australia, Brigadier David Luhrs, said the colours, which were last presented in 1988, are the symbol of the military unit and bear the battle honours granted in recognition of gallant deeds performed by its members.

“The Colours are a treasured College possession, they represent the faith of the Monarchy in an institution that has for one hundred years produced Army officers and leaders who have served Australia on the world stage,” Brigadier Luhrs said.

“They are also a reminder of the men and women who came before us and who also served under these colours; this link through time is what makes it such a special day, particularly given the number of former graduates who were able to be here. We have graduates from as far back as the class of 1954.

“For me personally as a graduate of Duntroon it is such a privilege to return as the Commandant and experience such a significant occasion with the next generation of leaders.”

His Majesty King George VI first presented Colours to the Corps of Staff Cadets on 10 May 1927 when, he visited Australia, as Duke of York. On 17 February 1954 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II presented new colours to the Corps. These, in turn, were replaced on 27 April 1970. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II presented a further set of new colours on 10 May 1988.

Commanding Officer of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Hedges, said the ritual of parading the colours is always a special occasion which serves as a reminder of Duntroon’s rich history.

“That we got to perform this particular parade for Her Majesty, in our centenary year, makes it even more spectacular and it’s a memory the cadets will cherish long after graduation,” Lieutenant Colonel Hedges said.